Molecular lipophilicity determination of a huperzine series by HPLC: comparison of C18 and IAM stationary phases.

Two hydrophobic parameters (logkw-C18 and logkw-IAM, respectively) of a huperzine A series were extrapolated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using both C18 and immobilised artificial membrane (IAM) columns. A mathematical correlation between C18 and IAM hydrophobic parameters was completed, suggesting a similar behaviour on both columns. This behaviour was principally led by hydrophobic forces. The theoretical lipophilicity (logP) of each compound was computed using Pallas software and compared to experimental values, showing a similar lipophilic behaviour. Finally, the huperzine logkw-IAM and logkw-C18 values were correlated with the relative bound percentage of huperzine in human serum albumin, confirming that hydrophobic forces are predominant in the huperzine-HSA binding mechanism.